Linden

R3DN3CK

AshtonMcgee

sarusoule

Quinn

Safe Meet

SAFE MEETING PRACTICES

Meeting new people can be a fun and exciting experience. Most of all, though, it should be a safe experience. Unfortunately, there are dangers when meeting new people, be it online or in person. Below are a few things to keep in mind when you’re considering getting together with a gamer you’ve met through Gamer Seeking Gamer. We encourage you to read and follow these suggestions to help ensure that all of your meetings are fun, exciting, and most of all, safe.

Online MeetingsWhen meeting someone new online, there is far less risk of physical harm, but there are certainly risks. Things to consider are:

Do not give out your personal information. First names and your general location are fairly acceptable to give out to a newly met friend, but you want to be careful when providing any further information including your last name, date of birth, email address, home address, vehicle license plates, living situation, names of children, place of work, etc. Be cautious if someone starts asking these types of questions. NEVER give out your social security number, driver’s license number, user names or passwords for ANY account, or any financial information (including bank account information, credit card information, or the like). Anyone that you believe is trying to get this type of information from you or acts in a suspicious manner should be reported to Gamer Seeking Gamer admin using the “Report this profile” option.

Be careful when opening attachments or following links from emails sent to you from newly met friends. They may contain viruses, key-loggers, spyware, or other items that may be harmful to your computer or gather information about you. It is highly recommended you protect yourself with an up to date anti-virus program.

Never give your user name and password for games you play to anyone. Doing so can result in, or increase the chances of, your account being compromised.

Clans and guilds need to be wary of people that may be attempting to sabotage the clan or guild in some way. Be careful when giving out administrative or officer rights to anyone for your forums, websites, and in game resources (such as a guild bank). Also be mindful of anyone that starts inviting an unusual number of players into the clan or guild.

Use your best judgment and don’t be afraid to back away from someone that is making you uncomfortable. If something doesn’t feel or seem right, it probably isn’t.

If you or your clan/guild becomes the victim of a dishonest player (harassment, stolen items, account hacking, etc.), report it through your game’s reporting tools. In addition, report the incident to Gamer Seeking Gamer through our “Report this profile” option.

In-person MeetingsMeeting in person can be a difficult thing and there is far more at risk than when you are just meeting someone online. You are strongly encouraged to use extreme caution when doing so, particularly when meeting for the first time and the first time you allow them into your house (or go to theirs). Please consider the following:

Meeting for the first time

Do so in a public place during daylight hours.

Do not meet them in or near their vehicle. Meet in front of or inside a store where you are both visible to the general public. A coffee-house, book store, restaurant, or fast-food place are ideal for first meetings.

Take a friend or parent. Even if they don’t join your meeting, have them nearby so they can keep an eye on you. The best thing would be to have them join you, however, and encourage the person you’re meeting to do the same.

Leave information with a friend or family member detailing the time and location of your meeting. Also include the other person’s name, GSG Gamer Name, and, if possible, a verified phone number or email address.

Have a preset time that you will be in contact with someone, whether it is by returning home or making a phone call. If you are going to contact someone by text message to let them know you are okay, be sure to include a codeword so they know it is you (and not someone that shouldn’t be texting with your phone).

DO NOT go to the other person’s house or invite them to your house on the first meeting. Get to know them before doing so.

DO NOT get into the other person’s vehicle or let them get into yours during your first meeting or any time after that until you are completely comfortable with them.

DO NOT accept food, candy, drinks, gum, or other items from the other person. Order, pay for, and pick up your own meals if you are eating together. Do not leave such items unattended if you intend to continue to eat or drink them.

DO NOT lend money or items to the other person during the first meeting.

DO NOT take items that would be easily taken and concealed such as MP3 players, laptops, tablet computers, etc. so they won’t get stolen.

Always be on guard, be careful, and use common sense. If, at any time, you are not comfortable, politely excuse yourself and end the meeting.

If you become the victim of a crime during a meeting, get to a safe location and contact your local law enforcement immediately to report the incident. If there is violence, injury, or a weapon involved dial your local emergency number (9-1-1 in the U.S.) as soon as you are safe. Also, report the incident to Gamer Seeking Gamer by using the reporting tool and include as much information as you can.

Inviting Someone into Your Home

Do not invite someone into your home until you are comfortable and ready. If you live at home (with parents) or you have roommates, make sure that they are comfortable with the person coming into the home as well.

Have someone with you, whether it is your parents, roommates, or your gaming crew. Make sure you are not alone when the new person arrives.

Set the ground rules before they arrive so they know what they should expect. This includes snack and drink expectations, drinking and smoking rules, language restraints, and where they are and aren’t allowed to go in the home.

Conceal any easily transported valuables or collectables if at all possible. Basically, if you think someone might take it, hide it.

Be mindful of anyone that attempts to become overly friendly with your pets, particularly dogs, as this is a common tactic of burglars.

Be mindful of anyone that asks a lot of questions about the contents of the home or expresses interest in items such as televisions, gaming systems, computers, and other valuables. Wandering eyes are scheming eyes.

Do not reveal schedules or other information about when the home will be empty of people and take note if anyone asks too many questions about it.

DO NOT allow them to stay the night during a sleep over until you are comfortable with them.

Trust your instincts; if you don’t trust someone when they are in your home, you don’t have to invite them back.

If you become the victim of a crime, contact and report the incident to your local law enforcement immediately. If the crime involves items missing from your home, particularly if they were items of interest to the new person, notify the police of this during the reporting process. Don’t accuse the new person unless you have evidence, but the police should be made aware of the situation so they can do their investigation properly. In addition, if the new person is a suspect in the crime, notify Gamer Seeking Gamer by using the reporting tool and include as much information as you can.

Going to Someone’s Home

Do not go into someone’s home until you are comfortable with them.

Take a friend if at all possible.

Drive yourself or get a ride from a friend (like the one you’re taking with you) or parent. DO NOT let the other person pick you up.

If you are under 18, make sure your parents meet the person and their parents before or during the visit.

Leave information with a friend or family member detailing where you will be. Provide them with the verified address and phone number of where you will be along with the name and GSG Gamer Name of the person you’re going to be visiting.

Set a firm end time for the first several meetings.

Bring your own food and drinks during the first several meetings.

If, at any time, you become uncomfortable, leave.

Try not to arrive at night for the first meeting.

DO NOT stay the night at the other person’s home during the first several meetings.

Be polite and courteous of your host. Respect their rules and their home. Don’t steal or break anything. Be a civilized human being and follow Wheaton’s Law (don’t be a dick).

If you become the victim of a crime during a meeting, get to a safe location and contact your local law enforcement immediately to report the incident. If there is violence, injury, or a weapon involved dial your local emergency number (9-1-1 in the U.S.) as soon as you are safe. Also, report the incident to Gamer Seeking Gamer by using the reporting tool and include as much information as you can.